Load relieving stem connectors

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for operatively connecting an actuator rod to a valve stem is disclosed. An example apparatus includes a connector housing having an outer surface and an inner surface where the inner surface defines an internal cavity. The example apparatus also includes an actuator rod passage extending from the outer surface into the internal cavity that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the actuator rod and a valve stem passage extending from the outer surface into the internal cavity that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the valve stem. Additionally, the example apparatus includes a load relieving body disposed within the internal cavity between the actuator rod passage and the valve stem passage.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to assemblies for coupling shafts orrods and, more specifically, to a load relieving stem connector andmethod for coupling, for example, an actuator rod to a control valvestem.

BACKGROUND

Control valves are typically operated by an actuator, such as apneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, etc. Theactuator is typically coupled to the control valve and provides theforce to move a valve plug to control a fluid flowing through thecontrol valve. For instance, in a pneumatic actuator, increasing ordecreasing air pressure moves a diaphragm, which in turn moves anactuator rod that is attached to the center of the diaphragm along thelongitudinal axis of an actuator housing. Thus, changes in the airpressure correspond directly to changes in the axial position of theactuator rod.

The actuator rod may be attached to a valve stem that protrudes from thevalve body. By mechanically coupling the actuator rod to the valve stemvia a valve stem connector, the position of the attached valve plug canbe determined by the actuator rod to control the fluid flowing throughthe valve. Typically, the valve stem connector consists of a single,rigid, connector that includes two threaded cavities for receivingexternally threaded ends of the actuator rod and valve stem. However,known valve stem connectors may suffer from certain manufacturingdisadvantages and design limitations.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cross-sectional view of one example of a typicalvalve assembly 100 that includes a valve stem connector 102 mechanicallyfastening an actuator rod 104 to a valve stem 106. The actuator rod 104is housed in an actuator 108, for example, a pneumatic actuator, andwhen a supplied air pressure to the actuator 108 changes, the actuatorrod 104 moves along a longitudinal axis A-A. The valve stem connector102 couples the axial motion supplied by the actuator rod 104 throughthe valve stem 106 to a valve plug 110, which is located in a valve body120, to allow the valve plug 110 to be positioned relative to a valveseat 112. For example, when the valve plug 110 is positioned away fromthe valve seat 112, fluid can flow from a valve inlet 114 to a valveoutlet 116 as indicated by the arrows shown.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, the illustrated valve stemconnector 102 includes two connector portions 118 a-b that are fastenedby bolts 122 a-b to form a rigid connector. The valve stem connector 102has a threaded upper cavity 124 that includes a plurality of threads 126to threadingly engage the actuator rod 104. Similarly, the valve stemconnector 102 has a threaded lower cavity 128 that includes a pluralityof threads 130 to threadingly engage the valve stem 106. The actuatorrod 104 and the valve stem 106 are joined when the upper threads 126 andthe lower threads 130 mechanically engage corresponding external threads132 and 134 (FIG. 1) on the actuator rod 104 and the valve stem 106,respectively. In this example, because the actuator rod 104 and thevalve stem 106 have different diameters, the upper cavity 124 and thelower cavity 128 are connected via a tapered internal surface 136.

To complete the valve assembly 100, the actuator rod 104 and the valvestem 106 are threaded in counter-rotating directions into the cavities124 and 128, respectively, until the desired length is achieved so thatthe valve stem 106 and the plug 110 properly interact with the valveseat 112. Axial adjustment of the actuator rod 104 and the valve stem106 is typically limited by the minimum number of threads that must beengaged to create a secure and safe mechanical connection. Finally, thebolts 122 a-b may be tightened to create additional compressive loadbetween the threads 126, 130, 132, and 134 to securably fasten theactuator rod 104 to the valve stem rod 106.

As mentioned above, in a pneumatically controlled valve assembly, adiaphragm (not shown) is coupled to the actuator rod 104, the positionof which is controlled by the pressure on one side of the diaphragm andone or more springs on the opposite side of the diaphragm. Bycontrolling the pressure in the space above the diaphragm, adirect-acting actuator is created. By controlling the pressure below thediaphragm, a reverse-acting actuator 104 is created. Movement of thediaphragm and, thus, the actuator rod 104 causes the valve stem 106 toopen and close the valve plug 110 relative to the valve seat 112 tocontrol the fluid flow through the valve body 120.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one example, an apparatus for operatively connectingan actuator rod to a valve stem includes a connector housing having anouter surface and an inner surface where the inner surface defines aninternal cavity. The apparatus further includes an actuator rod passageextending from the outer surface into the internal cavity that isadapted to receive at least a portion of the actuator rod and a valvestem passage extending from the outer surface into the internal cavitythat is adapted to receive at least a portion of the valve stem. Theapparatus also includes a load relieving body disposed within theinternal cavity between the actuator rod passage and the valve stempassage.

In accordance with another example, an apparatus for coupling shaftsincludes a connector housing including a first portion and a secondportion. Each of the first and second portions includes first and secondangled surfaces adapted to engage ends of first and second shafts whenthe first portion is removably coupled to the second portion. Theapparatus also includes one of a wedge, a cam, or a tapered rodconfigured to be coupled to at least one of the first or second housingportions between the first and second shaft ends and further configuredto be adjustable to cause the angled surfaces to securely engage theends of the first and second shafts.

In accordance with yet another example, an apparatus for coupling shaftsincludes first means for coupling a first shaft end to a second shaftend and second means for coupling the first shaft end to the secondshaft end and for coupling to the first means for coupling. Theapparatus further includes means for adjustably moving the first andsecond shaft ends to securably engage the first and second means forcoupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a known valve stem connectorincorporated into a control valve assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the known valve stem connector shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example valve assembly with anexample valve stem connector.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the valve stem connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the example valve stem connector ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternative example valve stemconnector.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the example valve stem connector ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another alternative example valve stemconnector.

FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view of the example valve stem connector ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 3 shows an example control valve300. The valve 300 includes a diaphragm 302 located inside a diaphragmcasing 304. Above the diaphragm 302 is a plate 306 that is coupled toactuator springs 308 and an actuator rod 310. The actuator rod 310extends from the diaphragm casing 304 through a yoke 312 where theactuator rod 310 is coupled to a valve stem 314. The valve stem 314extends through the yoke 312 into a valve body 316 and is coupled to aplug 318. The plug 318 engages a valve seat 320 when the valve isclosed, which blocks the flow of process fluid from an inlet 322 to anoutlet 324.

To increase pressure in the diaphragm casing 304, a fluid such as, forexample, air, is forced into the casing 304 under the diaphragm 302through a port 326. The example diaphragm casing 304 includes an uppercasing 305 and a lower casing 306. In the illustrated example, the port326 is associated with the lower casing 307. In alternative examples,the port 326 may be associated with the upper casing 305 and the springs308 may be located between the diaphragm plate 306 and the lower casing307. The air forced through the port 324 increases the pressure andmoves the diaphragm 302 and plate 306 upward, which compresses thesprings 308. As the plate 306 and the diaphragm 302 move upward, theactuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 also move up along the B-B axis.The lifting of the valve stem 314 lifts the plug 318 from the valve seat320, which allows a process fluid to flow from the inlet 322 past theplug 318 to the outlet 324 of the valve body 316.

In this embodiment, the apparatus for operatively connecting theactuator rod 310 to the valve stem 314 is a valve stem connector 328,which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The valve stemconnector 328 includes a connector housing formed in this example by twoportions 330, 332 each having an outer surface 400 and an inner surface402, where the inner surfaces 402 cooperate to define an internal cavity369. The top portion of the internal cavity 369 forms an actuator rodpassage 372 (FIG. 5) that extends from the outer surface 400 into theinternal cavity 369 and is adapted to receive at least a portion of theactuator rod 310. The bottom portion of the internal cavity 369 forms avalve stem passage 374 that extends from the outer surface 400 into theinternal cavity 369 and is adapted to receive at least a portion of thevalve stem 314. The valve stem connector 328 also includes a loadrelieving body in this example formed by cooperating wedges 338, 348disposed within the internal cavity 369 between the actuator rod passage372 and the valve stem passage 374. Further, the wedges 338, 348 form asurface 352 configured to contact an end 370 of the valve stem 314, andan opposing surface 340 configured to contact an end 366 of the actuatorrod 310.

As noted, the example valve stem connector 328 includes a firstconnector portion or housing 330 and a second connector portion orhousing 332. The first connector portion 330 has a first upper slopedwall 334 and a first lower sloped wall 336. The first connector portion330 also has a first generally wedge-shaped projection 338 extendingradially outward from the outer surface 402 into the internal cavity369. The first wedge 338 has a first substantially flat surface 340 anda first angled surface 342 shown best in FIG. 5. Likewise, the secondconnector portion 332 has a second upper sloped wall 344 and a secondlower sloped wall 346. The second connector portion 332 also has asecond generally wedge-shaped projection 348, but the second wedge 348of the second connector portion 332 is complementary to the first wedge338 of the first connector portion 330 such that the wedges 338, 348engage to form a load relieving body with substantially co-planarsurfaces. The second wedge 348 also has non-coplanar surfaces, i.e., asecond angled surface 350 above a second substantially flat surface 352.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first connector portion 330 has a first aperture353 and a second aperture 354. The second connector portion 332 has athird aperture 356 and a fourth aperture 358. To releasably join thefirst connector portion 330 and the second connector portion 332, afirst bolt 360 is inserted through the first aperture 353 and the thirdaperture 356, and a second bolt 362 is inserted through the secondaperture 354 and the fourth aperture 358. Though the illustrated exampleuses bolts 360, 362 to join the connector portions 330, 332, any knownmechanical fastener may also be used. Furthermore, though two fasteners360, 362 are shown, any number of fasteners may be used, e.g., 1, 3, 4,etc. In addition, the apertures 353, 354, 356, 358 may be angled suchthat the fasteners 360, 362 may only be secured when the apertures 353,354, 356, 358 are properly aligned, thereby ensuring that the connectorportions 330, 332 are oriented so that the wedges 338, 348 complementeach other and function properly.

Returning to FIG. 5, the actuator rod 310 has a first undercut 364adjacent to and acutely angled with respect to a first mating surface366. Similarly, the valve stem 314 has a second undercut 368 adjacent toand acutely angled with respect to a second mating surface 370. As theconnector portions 330, 332 are joined and as the bolts 360, 362 aretightened in the apertures 353, 354, 356, 358, the wedges 338, 348 makecontact with each other. As the union between the two connector portions330, 332 further tightens, the angled surfaces 342, 350 slide along eachother. Concurrently, the upper sloped walls 334, 344 engage the undercut364 of the actuator rod 310, while the lower sloped walls 336, 346engage the undercut 368 of the valve stem 314. As the sloped walls 334,336, 344, 346 engage the undercuts 364, 368, the actuator rod 310 andthe valve stem 314 become coupled, and ultimately the first matingsurface 366 of the actuator rod 310 at least partially contacts thefirst substantially flat surface 340 of the first wedge 338. Similarly,the second mating surface 370 of the valve stem 314 at least partiallycontacts the second substantially flat surface 352 of the second wedge348.

The actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 may vary in length based onmanufacturing tolerances. The wedges 338, 348 in the valve stemconnector assembly 328 accommodate varying lengths of actuator rods andvalve stems without requiring additional or separate components so thevalve 300 will function properly. For example, if one or both of theactuator rod 310 and/or the valve stem 314 are on the longer side of themanufacturing tolerances, the angled surfaces 342, 350 engage each otherless (i.e., have a smaller engagement or contact surface area) and theconnector portions 330, 332 do not need to be tightened as much tocreate a secure connection. If one or both of the actuator rod 310and/or the valve stem 314 are on the shorter side, the angled surfaces342, 350 engage each other more, and the connector portions 330, 332 aretightened closer to one other for a secure connection. Accordingly, thevalve stem connector 328 can accommodate a variety of lengths ofactuator rods 310 and/or valve stems 314 by, in effect, lengthening orshortening the overall length of the actuator rod 310 and/or valve stem.

The ability of the stem connector 328 to lengthen or shorten the overalllength of the actuator rod 310 and/or valve stem 314 is alsoparticularly beneficial for relieving spring load and/or compressing theactuator springs 308 as needed for maintenance. For example, when theactuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 need to be separated such as,for example, when the valve 300 needs maintenance during an outage, thestem connector 328 is disassembled. In this example, the bolts 360, 362are removed, and the two connector portions 330, 332 and, thus, thewedges 338, 348 are separated. Then, the distance between the two matingsurfaces 366, 370 is no longer occupied by the wedges 338, 348.Consequently, the load experience by the actuator rod 310 and the valvestem 314 is relieved, the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 are nolonger coupled, and the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 can bemoved independently of each other. This allows the valve stem 314 andthe plug 318 to be removed from the valve seat 320 manually (i.e.,without the need for power or air to compress the springs 308 and liftthe actuator rod 310). Essentially, the first wedge 338 and the secondwedge 348 form a load relieving body that relieves the load in thesprings 308 so the actuator rod 310 can freely disassociate from thevalve stem 314. Without the spring load exerting a downward force, thevalve stem 314 and the plug 318 can be moved away from the valve seat320. As a result, the valve 300 may be disassembled during unanticipatedoutages without damage.

In addition to accommodating manufacturing tolerances with respect tothe length of the actuator rod 310 and the length of the valve stem 314,the stem connector 328 can accommodate axial misalignment of theactuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314. Both connector portions 330,348 are positioned to enclose or surround the ends of the actuator rod310 and the valve stem 314. The stem connector 328, when fullyassembled, forms the internal cavity 369, as described above, whichincludes the actuator rod passage 372 and the valve stem passage 374.The actuator rod passage 372 has a diameter larger than the diameter ofthe first undercut 364. Similarly, the valve stem passage 374 has adiameter larger than the diameter of the second undercut 368. Theresulting gaps accommodate axial misalignment between the actuator rod310 and the valve stem 314. The actuator rod 310 and/or the valve stem314 may be shifted to the left and/or the right within the internalcavity 369 without affecting the performance of the valve 300. Theinternal cavity 369 may be sized to accommodate various magnitudes ofaxial misalignment.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative example stem connector 600. Thevalve stem connector 600 includes a connector housing formed in thisexample by two portions 602, 604 each having an outer surface 700 and aninner surface 702, where the inner surfaces 702 cooperate to define aninternal cavity 704. The top portion of the internal cavity 704 forms anactuator rod passage 706 that extends from the outer surface 700 intothe internal cavity 704 that is adapted to receive at least a portion ofthe actuator rod 310, and the bottom portion of the internal cavity 704forms a valve stem passage 708 that extends from the outer surface 700into the internal cavity 704 that is adapted to receive at least aportion of the valve stem 314. The valve stem connector 600 alsoincludes a load relieving body 608 disposed within the internal cavity704 between the actuator rod passage 706 and the valve stem passage 708.The load relieving body 608 has a surface 614 configured to contact anend 370 of the valve stem 314 and an end 366 of the actuator rod 310.

The connector portion 604 has an opening 606 through which the loadrelieving body or projection 608 is inserted. The projection 608 has ahead 610 that can be manipulated by a wrench, pliers or other tool toadjustably insert or remove the projection 608 into/from the opening606. The projection 608 further has a body section 612 that traversesthe connector portion 604. In the illustrated example, the body section612 has threads that engage threads in the opening 606. The projection608 ends in the surface or angled structure 614 creating a tapered rod,which may be generally wedge-shaped, conically shaped, or any othercombination of shapes with a sloping, rounded or curved surface. Theangled structure 614 engages the mating surfaces 366, 370 of theactuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314, respectively, as describedabove.

As the projection 608 is inserted further into the connector portion604, a greater thickness of the wedge 614 is inserted between theactuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314. Because the projection 608 maybe inserted into the valve stem connector 600 to varying degrees tocreate a full assembly, this example can accommodate manufacturingtolerances in the lengths of the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314and can, in effect, lengthen or shorten the actuator rod 310 and/orvalve stem 314, similar to the stem connector 328 described above. Forexample, if the actuator rod 310 and/or the valve stem 312 are on thelong side of their respective tolerances, they will be closer to oneanother (i.e., the gap 616 will be smaller). When the gap 616 issmaller, the projection 608 need not be inserted as far into the stemconnector 600 for a secure fit. If the actuator rod 310 and/or the valvestem 312 are on the short side of their respective tolerances, they willbe further from one another (i.e., the gap 616 will be larger). When thegap 616 is larger, the projection 608 may be inserted more deeply intothe stem connector 600 for a secure fit.

The connector portions 602, 604 each have passages 706, 708 and slopedwalls similar to those described above in connection with the stemconnector 328. The passages 706, 708 with the plurality of sloped wallsengage the rods 310, 314 and guide the rods 310, 314 toward the wedgesurface 614 and into alignment with each other. Accordingly, the stemconnector 600 accommodates axial misalignment of the actuator rod 310and the valve stem 314 by virtue of the sloped walls and the passages706, 708.

The stem connector 600 may be manually disassembled by removing theprojection 608 and separating the connector portions 602, 604. Removingthe projection 608 relieves the spring load and allows the actuator rod310 and the valve stem 314 to be mechanically decoupled and, if needed,to be moved independently of each other. This allows the valve stem 314and the plug 318 to be removed from the valve seat 320 manually (i.e.,without the need for power or air to compress the springs 308 and liftthe actuator rod 310). As a result, the valve 300 may be disassembledduring unanticipated outages without damage.

In an alternative example (not shown), the projection 608 may beintegrally formed in one of the connector portions 602, 604 and disposedin the internal cavity 704. In this alternative example, the stemconnector 600 is assembled and tightened by bolts 618, which run throughapertures 620 in a similar manner as described above in connection withthe stem connector 328.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a third example stem connector 800. The valvestem connector 800 includes a connector housing formed in this exampleby two portions 802, 804, each having an outer surface 900 and an innersurface 902, where the inner surfaces 902 cooperate to define aninternal cavity 810. The top portion of the internal cavity 810 forms anactuator rod passage 904 that extends from the outer surface 900 intothe internal cavity 810 that is adapted to receive at least a portion ofthe actuator rod 310, and the bottom portion of the internal cavity 810forms a valve stem passage 906 that extends from the outer surface 900into the internal cavity 810 that is adapted to receive at least aportion of the valve stem 314. The valve stem connector 328 alsoincludes a load relieving body 812 disposed within the internal cavity810 between the actuator rod passage 904 and the valve stem passage 906.Further, the load relieving body 812 has a surface 813 configured tocontact an end 370 of the valve stem 314, and an end 366 of the actuatorrod 310.

Both of the connector portions 802, 804 have apertures 806 through whichbolts 808 are inserted to releasably connect the two connector portions802, 804. Though bolts 808 are illustrated in FIG. 9, any knownremovable mechanical fastener may be used. Further, although fourapertures 806 and two bolts 808 are shown, any number of apertures andbolts can be used, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

When the two portions 802, 804 are connected, the internal cavity 810 isformed therebetween. The cavity 810 is sized to accommodate the actuatorrod 310 and the valve stem 314. As stated above, the cavity 810 includesspring load relieving structure or a cam 812. In the illustratedexample, the cam 812 is ellipsoidal and has an open center 814 in whicha shaft 816 is inserted. In the illustrated example, the shaft 816 is ahex shaft, but any shaft that can be manipulated by a wrench, pliers orother tool may be used.

When the shaft 816 is rotated, the cam 812 is also rotated, and rotationof the cam 812, in effect, lengthens or shortens the actuator rod 310and/or valve stem 314. When the cam 812 is rotated so that the majoraxis of the ellipsoid, the C-C axis is oriented as shown in FIG. 9, thesurface 813 of the cam 812 engages the mating surfaces 366, 370 of theactuator rod 310 and valve stem 314, respectively, and the actuator rod310 and valve stem 314 are at their longest lengths. To disassemble thestem connector 800, the cam 312 is turned so that the minor axis of theellipsoid, the D-D axis, is aligned with the axes of the actuator rod310 and the stem connector 314, and the actuator rod 310 and valve stem314 are at their shortest lengths. In fact, in this position, the springload is relieved and there is enough slack between the actuator rod 310and the valve stem 314 so that valve 300 can be disassembled manually(i.e., without the need for power or air). This allows the valve 300 tobe disassembled during unanticipated outages.

As described above, rotation of the cam 812 lengthens or shortens theactuator rod 310 and/or the valve stem 314, which enables the stemconnector 800 to accommodate manufacturing tolerances in the lengths ofthe actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314. The distance between themating surfaces 366, 370 of the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314,respectively, varies as a function of the position of the cam 812. Forexample, when the cam 812 is positioned so that the C-C axis is alignedwith the axis of the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 (FIG. 8),the distance between the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 is thegreatest. When the cam 812 is positioned such that the D-D axis isaligned with the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314, the distancebetween the actuator rod 310 and the valve stem 314 is the shortest. Tofully engage the mating surfaces 366, 370, the position of the cam 812between the D-D axis and the C-C axis will vary depending on the lengthsof the actuator rod 310 and/or the valve stem 314 relative to theirmanufacturing tolerances. Additionally, the stem connector 800 canaccommodate axial misalignments in a manner similar to the stemconnector 328 described above.

Although certain example apparatus and articles of manufacture have beendescribed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limitedthereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all apparatus and articlesof manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claimseither literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

1. An apparatus for operatively connecting an actuator rod to a valvestem, the apparatus comprising: a connector housing having an outersurface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an internalcavity; an actuator rod passage extending from the outer surface intothe internal cavity, the actuator rod passage adapted to receive atleast a portion of the actuator rod; a valve stem passage extending fromthe outer surface into the internal cavity, the valve stem passageadapted to receive at least a portion of the valve stem; and a loadrelieving body disposed within the internal cavity between the actuatorrod passage and the valve stem passage.
 2. An apparatus as defined inclaim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises a first housing portionand a second housing portion.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2,wherein the connector housing further comprises: a first aperture in thefirst housing portion; a second aperture in the second housing portion;and a fastener that is inserted into the first and second apertures whenthe first and second apertures are aligned to releasably couple thefirst and second housing portions.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim3, wherein the first and second apertures are angled so that thefastener may only couple the first and second housing portions when thefirst and second housing portions are aligned to align the first andsecond apertures.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein theload relieving body is coupled to the connector housing.
 6. An apparatusas defined in claim 1, wherein the load relieving body has non-coplanarsurfaces.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the loadrelieving body is generally wedge-shaped.
 8. An apparatus as defined inclaim 7, wherein the generally wedge-shaped load relieving body includesa first wedge portion coupled to the first housing portion and secondwedge portion coupled to the second housing portion.
 9. An apparatus asdefined in claim 8, wherein the first wedge portion has a first flatsurface and a first sloped surface and the second wedge portion has asecond flat surface and a second sloped surface.
 10. An apparatus asdefined in claim 9, wherein the first and the second sloped surfacescontact when the connector housing is assembled.
 11. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the load relieving body has at least onerounded surface.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein theload relieving body comprises a rotatable cam.
 13. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the connector housing is adapted toaccommodate axial misalignment between the actuator rod and the valvestem.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the load relievingbody has a surface configured to contact an end of the valve stem and anopposing surface configured to contact an end of the actuator rod. 15.An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the load relieving body canlengthen or shorten the overall length of at least one of the actuatorrod and the valve stem
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, whereinthe load relieving body can relieve or compress an actuator spring. 17.An apparatus for coupling shafts, comprising: a connector housingincluding a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of thefirst and second portions includes first and second angled surfacesadapted to engage ends of first and second shafts when the first portionis removably coupled to the second portion; and one of a wedge, a cam,or a tapered rod configured to be coupled to at least one of the firstor second housing portions between the first and second shaft ends andfurther configured to be adjustable to cause the angled surfaces tosecurely engage the ends of the first and second shafts.
 18. Anapparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the first and second shaftseach have undercut portions and the angled surfaces are adapted toengage the undercuts portions.
 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 17,wherein the first and second housing portions comprise complementaryportions.
 20. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the one of awedge, a cam, or a tapered rod comprises a surface configured to couplethe ends of the shafts.
 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20,wherein the surface is an angled surface.
 22. The apparatus as define inclaim 20, wherein the surface is a rounded surface.
 23. The apparatus asdefine in claim 20, wherein the one of a wedge, a cam, or a tapered rodlengthens or shortens the overall length of at least one of the firstand the second shafts.
 24. The apparatus as define in claim 20, whereinthe one of a wedge, a cam or a tapered rod relieves a load experiencedby one of the first and the second shafts.
 25. An apparatus for couplingshafts comprising: first means for coupling a first shaft end to asecond shaft end; second means for coupling the first shaft end to thesecond shaft end and for coupling to the first means for coupling; andmeans for adjustably moving the first and second shaft ends to securablyengage the first and second means for coupling.
 26. An apparatus forcoupling shaft as defined in claim 25, wherein the means for adjustablymoving the first and second shaft ends comprises means for engaging thefirst and second shaft ends to move the first and second shaft ends. 27.An apparatus for coupling shaft as defined in claim 25, wherein themeans for adjustably moving the first and second shaft ends comprisesmeans for lengthening or shortening the length of at least one of thefirst and second shaft ends.